Dow’s Seadrift, Texas location selected for X-energy advanced SMR nuclear project
In Michigan, Dow and X-energy Reactor Company announced that Dow has selected its UCC1 Seadrift Operations manufacturing site in Texas for its proposed advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear project. The project is focused on providing the Seadrift site with zero carbon emissions power and steam as existing energy and steam assets near their end-of-life, Dow said.
Dow and X-energy previously announced their entry into a joint development agreement (JDA) to install an advanced SMR nuclear plant at an industrial site in North America. The U.S. Department of Energy named Dow a sub-awardee under X-energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program Cooperative Agreement. The JDA provides for up to $50 million in engineering work, up to half of which is eligible to be funded through ARDP, and the other half by Dow.
The project is expected to reduce the Seadrift site’s emissions by approximately 440,000 MT CO2e/year. Dow and X-energy will now prepare and submit a construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Construction on the four-reactor project is expected to begin in 2026 and to be completed by the end of this decade, Dow said.
“Advanced nuclear has attractive advantages over other sources of clean power, including a compact footprint, competitive cost, and enhanced power and steam reliability. The Seadrift site plays an important role in further advancing Dow’s sustainability goals, as evidenced by our increasing growth and investment at the site. We are excited to have the support of our local community, the DOE, and State of Texas as we progress on this important project,” said Jim Fitterling, Dow chairman and CEO.
